Every fall, the scenery in Northeastern Pennsylvania bursts into autumn color, as the leaves turn in the Pocono and Endless Mountains and across the Lackawanna and Wyoming Valleys. And because this wide region spans a range of elevations, the reds, oranges, and golds of fall appear gradually, giving you ample opportunity to catch color at its peak while leaf peeping in NEPA.
We’ve put together a guide to help you plan your fall foliage excursions across the region throughout the season. Whether you’re leaf peeping by car, rail, or foot, this guide will help you know where to go—and when—this fall in Northeastern PA.
When fall foliage will peak in NEPA
Fall color shifts slowly across the region, with northern areas and higher elevations getting colder sooner, meaning their leaves turn earlier than those farther south and at lower elevations. Different tree species also change at different times, with black gum and maple trees being some of the earliest to turn and drop their leaves, while oaks and beech trees stay green longer.
Peak color throughout NEPA usually arrives in early, mid-, and late October, depending on location. The Poconos Fall Foliage Forecast already has estimates for the timing of foliage color across the Pocono Mountains region. Meanwhile, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Fall Foliage Report will include color projections for the entire state and will be updated weekly, but it won’t come out until the fall color season starts, typically in late September.
(Note that these estimates are just that, and that changing weather can also shift foliage predictions! Any changes will be reflected in DCNR’s weekly Fall Foliage Report, as well as the Poconos Fall Foliage Forecast.)
- Northern Wayne and Pike counties: The northern zone of the Pocono Mountains, which includes Honesdale and Hawley, is projected to reach peak color between Oct. 8 and 14, according to the Poconos Fall Foliage Forecast.
- Bradford, Sullivan, and Susquehanna counties: These northern counties generally reach peak color earlier than other regions of Northeastern Pennsylvania, typically in early to mid-October. Check the DCNR Fall Foliage Report when it is released, likely in late September, for firmer projections.
- Southern Wayne, Pike, and northern Monroe counties: This central region of the Pocono Mountains is projected to reach peak color between Oct. 8 and 14, according to the Poconos Fall Foliage Forecast.
- Lackawanna County: Lackawanna County, which includes Scranton, typically reaches peak color in mid-October, with the northern and higher-elevation regions turning first. Check the DCNR Fall Foliage Report when it is released, likely in late September, for firmer projections.
- Wyoming County: Fall color typically peaks in mid- to late October, but check the DCNR Fall Foliage Report for firmer projections.
- Luzerne County: Most of Luzerne County will reach peak color in mid- to late October, with more northern and higher elevations turning first and more southerly areas likely to hold color longer into the season.
- Southern Monroe County and Carbon County: This southern region of the Pocono Mountains, which includes Jim Thorpe, is forecast to reach peak color between Oct. 20 and 28, according to the Poconos Fall Foliage Forecast.
Where to catch the best color in NEPA
We’ve put together a list of eight destinations across the region to seek out fall colors. Read on to learn about the hikes, scenic drives, train rides, and overlooks that offer some of the best leaf peeping in NEPA.
Endless Mountains
Expected peak color: Early to mid-October—check the weekly DCNR Fall Foliage Report for current predictions
The Endless Mountains region consists of Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna, and Wyoming counties and is home to deep valleys, rolling hills, and plenty of rural charm. If you’re looking for a quiet scenic drive through fall color, this region features a stretch of PA Route 6, one of the state’s landmark scenic drives, as well as the Viaduct Valley Way Scenic Byway, a 37-mile scenic route that passes by massive and historic railroad viaducts.
The Viaduct Valley Way Scenic Byway connects Susquehanna to Tunkhannock along PA Route 92 and offers views of Tunkhannock Viaduct in Nicholson and the Starrucca Viaduct in Lanesboro.
Farther west, Worlds End State Park offers hiking trails and scenic views of fall color throughout the surrounding Loyalsock State Forest.
Ricketts Glen State Park
Expected peak color: Early to mid-October, as the park’s higher elevation means its foliage typically changes earlier than that of surrounding areas. Check the weekly DCNR Fall Foliage Report for current predictions.
If you want to see waterfalls against a backdrop of burning foliage, head to Ricketts Glen State Park, which is located primarily in Luzerne County. The park’s Glens Natural Area is home to 22 named waterfalls, and you can see 21 of them by following the 7.2-mile Falls Trail System, a challenging hike along rugged and sometimes slippery terrain.
For a shorter hike, you can instead follow a 3.2-mile loop inside the Falls Trail System and still see 18 of the waterfalls. This loop combines the Highland Trail with the Glen Leigh and Ganoga Glen sides of the Falls Trail System.
Scranton and the Lackawanna Valley
Expected peak color: Mid-October, with northern areas and higher elevations turning earlier than southern and lower-elevation areas. Check the weekly DCNR Fall Foliage Report for current predictions.
Nature lovers in Lackawanna County need not go far from the city of Scranton to experience beautiful fall color. Indeed, Scranton itself—home to the forested Nay Aug Park—will see rich, changing color. Head to Nay Aug Park for an easy hike along the two-mile Davis Trail, which offers views from the rim of Nay Aug Gorge.
Plus, just 20 minutes north of Scranton, Lackawanna State Park offers lakeside hikes and autumn views of the large Lackawanna Lake.
Seven Tubs and the Wyoming Valley
Expected peak color: Mid- to late October, with northern areas and higher elevations turning earlier than southern and lower-elevation areas. Check the weekly DCNR Fall Foliage Report for current predictions.
Some of the best hiking and leaf peeping in the Wyoming Valley can be found within Pinchot State Forest. One of the best sites is Seven Tubs Recreation Area, which features unique glacial potholes (the “tubs”) and cascades along Wheelbarrow Run. A short 0.3-mile loop trail surrounds the tub formations.
Outside of Seven Tubs, Pinchot State Forest is home to more hiking and overlooks perfect for catching views of fall foliage. Within the Mocanaqua Tract of the forest, you can hike some or all of the roughly 8.5-mile Mocanaqua Loop Trail, which offers scenic views of the surrounding landscape and the Susquehanna River.
Lake Wallenpaupack
Expected peak color: Oct. 8 to 14, according to the Poconos Fall Foliage Forecast
Head to NEPA’s Lake Wallenpaupack to see fall color reflected on one of the region’s premier lakes. Take a scenic drive on PA Route 507 around the eastern side of the lake for a stunning fall display, stopping along the route to take in the colors. You might also take a break from driving to hike the roughly 3-mile Wallenpaupack Lake Trail, which you can access at the intersection of PA Route 507 and PA Route 6 near Hawley.
Just south of the lake, you can find more hiking and vista opportunities at Promised Land State Park. The park sits on the Pocono Plateau about 1,800 feet above sea level and affords visitors incredible views of the surrounding Delaware State Forest.
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Expected peak color: Mid-October, with northern areas changing earlier and the southern end of the park likely peaking later in the month
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area offers some of the most dramatic scenery in NEPA, and it’s only more spectacular when draped in autumn colors. Here, the Delaware River cuts through the Kittatinny Ridge, with Mount Minsi on the Pennsylvania side and Mount Tammany in New Jersey.
Hikers should head to the section of the Appalachian Trail that climbs Mount Minsi for jaw-dropping views of the Delaware River. The 1.8-mile section from Delaware Water Gap to Mount Minsi is a moderate part of the AT—but if you plan to hike, arrive early, because the Lake Lenape parking area at the Mount Minsi trailhead can quickly fill with leaf peepers in the fall.
Popular waterfall Dingmans Falls is currently closed for a bridge rehabilitation project, but visitors can still head to Raymondskill Falls, the tallest waterfall in Pennsylvania. The trail to the waterfall is just 0.3 miles.
The national recreation area is also beautiful from behind the car window. You can follow PA Route 209 along the Delaware River for one of the region’s best scenic drives.
Big Pocono State Park
Expected peak color: Mid-October—check the weekly DCNR Fall Foliage Report for current predictions
Big Pocono State Park in Monroe County is home to big-ticket overlooks. The park encompasses the slopes and summit of Camelback Mountain, allowing visitors panoramic views of three states—Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York. You can also traverse the 1.4-mile scenic drive within the park to access the views from your car.
Jim Thorpe and the Lehigh Gorge
Expected peak color: Oct. 20 to 28, according to the Poconos Fall Foliage Forecast
Jim Thorpe is one of the best destinations in NEPA for a charming small-town excursion that happens to feature fall foliage. Indeed, the tiny town—known as “the Switzerland of America” since it’s carved into the Pocono Mountains like a hamlet in the Alps—is a jumping-off point for recreation in the nearby Lehigh Gorge. You can hike, cycle, or even take a train ride to take in the views: The Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway takes passengers on fall foliage excursions each season.
But Jim Thorpe, with its historic downtown and independent shops, is also a destination in its own right. The town is especially lively during its Fall Foliage Festival, which takes place the first three weekends of October.
This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
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